Words By: Jordyn Kieft

The musical brainchild of singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Domenic Dunegan, The Ghost Club delivers anthems that are as infectious as they are intriguing. Dunegan first recognized the power of music in 2016 when his dad took him to a Bruce Springsteen concert. The Ghost Club debuted in 2018 with “This Bird Has Flown,” produced by multi-platinum producer Matt Squire [Panic! At The Disco, Ariana Grande] after Dunegan spending two years writing and recording songs, playing everything but the drums.

Fresh off their only performance of the year at Thunderbird Café & Music Hall in Pittsburgh, PA this past Saturday, The Ghost Club marked a moment in their career as the debut headliner. Performing alongside Let Down and Kahone Concept, The Ghost Club reminded the crowd exactly why they’ve been able to amass over 3.5 million individual streams on Spotify. As the year comes to a close, The Ghost Club took the time to dive in deep with us about their latest single “I Feel Fine” and what the future holds.

 

PTM: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. For those unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your general aesthetic? Does the name of your band, The Ghost Club, derive from this aesthetic?

The Ghost Club: I would describe my aesthetic as being completely clueless as to what my aesthetic really is. Sometimes I feel like a rock band, sometimes I feel like a pop indie band. I don’t really like to just stay in one spot and hold allegiance to one look or sound. I feel like we’re kinda moving past that just from how much variety people have today with the internet. Variety is the spice of life and I always like to keep people guessing. As soon as they think I’m something, I’m suddenly someone else.

PTM: Your music conjoins dusky analog synths, arena-ready guitars, and energetic vocals that create infectious tunes that listeners can’t get out of their head — in a good way. Can you describe the process you use to create what fans describe as “just the kind of enigma alternative music needs?”

TGC: For me, I always just try to go for the initial feel of the song first before I start writing to it. I’ve found that just starting with a beat first is the way to go. Once I have that figured out and tempo, I lay some chords down, usually a synth or keys instrument, then a bass element, guitar, and once I have that finished I sit down and think about what I want to say in the song and go from there.

PTM: We understand that “I Feel Fine” is a really emotionally vulnerable song. You describe in the lyrics that you feel stuck in your pain, unable to get out and heal your bruises. Is there a specific experience from your life that inspired the lyrics of “I Feel Fine?”

TGC: There was actually a specific night I had while recording with Eric Palmquist that inspired it. I had just gone home for the night and for whatever reason out of nowhere just had a panic attack and was doing the whole “what am I doing with my life thing.” I don’t really ever try to externalize what I feel, and I will usually just lie if someone asks me if I’m alright.

PTM: In a similar fashion to what Foster The People did in “Pumped Up Kicks,” you created a song that permeates pain, yet is delivered with such an upbeat tempo. The groovy dance floor-esque music gives listeners the impression that you do feel fine. But if they listen to the lyrics, they realize that you are actually lying about feeling fine. Instead, you describe feeling isolated and crushed under your negative feelings and pain. How did you go about writing a piece that is simultaneously full of light and dark?

TGC: For me, I always just get the track made first before I start writing. I usually end up making things sound way too cheery and happy so once I have that track I just find whatever way I can to try and give it some grit lyrically. I feel like it’s a good way to deal with those emotions.

PTM: Your first ever live show will be on December 4, 2021 at the Thunderbird Café & Music Hall in Pittsburgh, PA. How did this opportunity to perform as the debut headliner come about? Could this event open up the possibility for future collaborations with any of the other artists on the bill?

TGC: This one came from my booking agent Troy Lusk and I personally have no idea about the process of booking the show. The other artists on the bill are actually people that have helped me along the way and have taught me a lot of what I know today.

PTM: The lyric video for “I Feel Fine” features a retro aesthetic that matches the 80s-inspired theme of your music to a tee. The video provides both audio and visual stimulation for the viewer, fully immersing them in your creative genius. What made you choose this route for creating the lyric video and what were you hoping viewers got from the experience? Can fans expect the same overall aesthetic to translate into the official music video?

TGC: I’m still up in the air about what I want that song to look like. I like the 80’s influences but I’m trying to find something more defining for the music video.

PTM: When listeners hear “I Feel Fine” for the first time, we are instantly reminded of the music of Bruce Springsteen, which you have attributed as the inspiration for your music. Do you still ask yourself “What would ‘Dancing in the Dark’ sound like if it was written today?” when you are writing music today? Is there anything you would have handled differently when creating “Dancing in the Dark?”

TGC: There’s not a single thing I’d change about “Dancing in the Dark” if I could go back in time and do it. I just feel like that albums are a perfect capsule of that era. I’m still taking influence from it though moving forward, I try not to stick in just one place.

PTM: The lyrics of “I Feel Fine” are very imagery-heavy. We can see the building crumbling around you and your blood spilling out like wine. Was providing imagery important for you when writing the lyrics of “I Feel Fine?” What were you hoping listeners got from this imagery?

TGC: Definitely. My producer Eric always tries to get me to put as much imagery into the songs when I write them. He always tries to keep me on track to try and paint a picture instead of just saying what I’m feeling directly. I hope that people are able to empathize and realize that they are not alone with what they’re dealing with.

PTM: Amassing over 3.5 million individual streams on Spotify is quite a feat. Now, you have your first live show coming up. We’re curious as to what’s next for The Ghost Club. Is there a specific career goal you’re working towards achieving next, and can fans expect a full length album in the near future?

TGC: Our immediate goal is to get our first tour booked and done in the summer. I’m always writing so I will probably have an album coming in the near future.

PTM: Thank you again for taking the time to chat with us about your new single and upcoming show. Is there anything else you’d like to add before we go?

TGC: Just really appreciate you guys having me! A lot of cool stuffs coming up in 2022.

 

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